At Risk

Ask Yourself a Few Simple Questions

Many times, people live in denial of a bad situation. But the facts are, domestic violence is the number one cause of injury to women between the ages of 15 and 44, more than rape, auto accidents and muggings combined.

You may want to use the following questions to evaluate your present situation. If you find yourself answering 'yes' to these questions, you may want to contact us.

Do you think:

It was my fault.

If I love him enough, he'll change.

I deserved it.

If I leave, he'll kill me.

Does your partner:

Embarrass you with bad names or put downs?

Control what you do, whom you see or talk to, or where you go?

Stop you from seeing or talking to your friends or family?

Take your money, make you ask for money, or refuse to give you money?

Make all the decisions?

Tell you that you are a bad parent or threaten to take away your children?

Act like the abuse is no big deal, it's your fault, or deny that it even happened?

Do you find yourself:

Feeling afraid that you will be forced to have sex?

Feeling afraid that you or your children will get hurt?

Feeling that there is nothing that you can do in your life?

Indications of Child Abuse, Sexual Abuse & Neglect:

Bruises in different stages of healing or on parts of the body where bruises are not common?

Lacerations, burns, fractures, or dislocation?

Bite marks, objects or pattern shaped injuries and/or abrasions?

Other indicators may be the child's fear of adult contact; poor social skills, aggressive or acting out behavior, withdraw, fear of returning home.

Not sleeping at night.

Drop in grades and school performance.

Excessive masturbation.

The child may offer some unbelievable explanation for injuries.

What to ask suspected victims of child abuse or neglect:

If you suspect abuse/neglect, or a child discloses to you: ask only these 4 questions.